Chapter Twelve
"Mr. And Mrs. March Warden."
The main forest clearing at the base of the Lord and Lady's massive tree was awash in an ethereal glow. Buntings of roses and Jesse's favorite flower the Calla Lily were tied to just about everything with beautiful silken bows. The high table was set upon a dais that looked as though flowers held it aloft. Jesse gasped when she saw everything that had been done. She couldn't believe that they had done all of this in honor of her marriage.
Everyone stood as Haldir led his bride towards the dais, even the Lord and Lady of the Wood stood in respect to the new couple. As the couple reached their seats next to the Lord and Lady, everyone took their seats with the exception of the Lord and Lady. "It has been long since we have had the opportunity to celebrate the joining of a couple in these woods and in times such as these the love we feel for eachother is our truest weapon against the enemy," Lady Galadriel began raising her goblet high into the air, "On this night we gather to celebrate the union of our own loyal and brave March Warden Haldir and the Crowned Princess of Noldor Jessica, may the blessings of Eru Ilúvatar and the Valar shine upon their union."
As the meal came to an end a band of musicians began to play and Haldir led Jesse to the forest floor where they began to dance to the slow and beautiful melody. Holding her body close to his own he asked in a whisper that only she could hear, "Would my lady wife honor me with a song tonight?" "I have the perfect one in mind my love," she replied looking up at his handsome face. They continued to dance as several couples joined them, including the Lord and Lady. When the final strains of the song flowed through the air Haldir lowered his head and captured her lips in a chaste kiss. "I love you my beautiful wife," he said looking into her eyes. "And I love you my handsome husband," she said as she kissed him gently on the edge of his chiseled jaw line, "Now I believe I promised you a song," she added as she stepped out of his arms and made her way toward the band.
After explaining the tune for the band she stepped to the front of the little stage and announced, "My husband has asked me to sing a song tonight. This song is a ballad that I loved in the world in which I grew up. It has always had special meaning to me and I hope you all enjoy it." Closing her eyes for a moment she looked up, her eyes locking with that of her husband's and she began to sing her eyes never leaving his as the band played the quiet melody in the background.
"There You Are
There you are in the early light of day
There you are in the quiet words I pray
I've been blessed by the simple happiness
Of the perfect love we've made
Every time I turn around
When I'm lost and when I'm found
Like an angel standing guard
There you are
Every time I take a breath
And when I forget to breathe
You're watching over me
There you are
When I'm looking for the light
In the middle of the night
Searching for the brightest star
There you are
There you are standing in a crowded room
There you are, the earth and I'm the moon
My desire is to stand by the fire
That burns inside of you
Every time I turn around
When I'm lost and when I'm found
Like an angel standing guard
There you are
Every time I take a breath
And when I forget to breathe
You're watching over me
There you are
When I'm looking for the light
In the middle of the night
Searching for the brightest star
There you are
When I'm looking for the light in the middle of the night
Searching for the brightest star
There you are
There you are
There you are"
(There You Are "Martina McBride")
A silent tear of happiness slipped from Jesse's eye as the final words of her song fell from her lips. The glade was strangely quiet as everyone watched as Haldir slowly made his way toward his bride. It seemed as if the whole of the forest was holding its breath in anticipation of the response of the March Warden. Stepping down from the stage Jesse found herself enveloped in the arms of her loving husband. A loud cheer swept through the crowd as all in attendance watched the happy couple embrace. The loudest of the cheers were that of the Fellowship of the Ring and if anyone were to look closely at the dwarf in the company they would have seen him wiping away tears of happiness for the couple. Though of course he would never be one to admit such things.
"That was most beautiful my love, thank you," Haldir said smiling down at his wife. "I had hoped you would like that song. I remember when I first heard it my mind was drawn to my dreams of you," she replied as she leaned into the loving touch of his hand on her cheek, "I love you Haldir." "And I love you my beautiful Jesse," he answered claiming her lips in a gentle kiss that left her breathless with the emotions he poured into it.
"You have a most lovely voice my dear," Lord Celeborn declared as he and Galadriel appeared next to the happy pair. "Thank you my Lord," Jesse said smiling up at the handsome elf lord that had been one of her father's closest friends. "My lady wife has told me that in the world in which you grew, it is customary for the father of the bride to share a dance with his daughter. In honor of that tradition I would like to ask you to dance with me in your father's absence, for he was as dear to me as a brother?" he said with a gentle smile. "I would love that, thank you my Lord Celeborn," she replied as she took his offered hand as he led her toward the center of the glade and the band began a beautiful melody.
Haldir watched as his lord led his wife away and smiled at the light of joy that seemed to encompass her entire being. Turning his attention to the Lady of Light who stood smiling next to him he asked, "It seems as though we have both lost our dance partners. Would the Lady care for a dance?" "I would enjoy that very much Haldir," the Lady Galadriel replied as she was led toward the center of the clearing as well.
As the night wore on Jesse found herself passed from one dance partner to another. When she finally found herself back in the arms of her husband she was happy but exhausted. The night had been something that she would never forget. The elves of the Golden Wood had accepted her with open arms and for that she was immensely grateful.
"It is getting late and you are tired," Haldir observed as she tried unsuccessfully to hide a yawn, "Let us say our goodnights and escape back to our talan, shall we." "I think I like that idea," she agreed as she yawned once more with a giggle, "Let's say goodnight to the Lord and Lady first. They are just over there talking with Legolas and Aragorn." They quickly said their goodnights to everyone and made their way towards their home.
Upon entering the talan Jesse found she hardly had the energy to take another step and nearly stumbled as she stepped through the door. If it had not been for the quick reflexes of her husband she was sure she would have ended up in an ungraceful heap on the floor. "Thanks for that," she laughed as he lifted her into his arms and proceeded to carry her toward their chamber, "I think I was a bit more tired than at first thought." "Then allow me to carry you to your bed," he said with a smile as she snuggled against his body.
Walking into the bedchamber he gently laid her on the bed before standing up and removing his cloak. Jesse sat up in the bed and began to remove the ribbons that held her hair in place, her eyes focused on her husband's intense gaze. As her hair fell into ringlets about her face, she watched as he slowly walked toward her. Reaching her side he sat down on the edge of the bed and reached up and caressed the side of her face, before bending his head toward hers and claiming her lips in a passionate embrace. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him to her as their kiss became even more heated, opening her lips to allow him entrance. He gently pulled at the ties to her gown allowing the fabric to fall away giving his eyes a view of the treasure that lay hidden beneath. That night as the stars shown over the Golden Wood, they made love and allowed their bond to carry them to a realm of total peace and love. Before falling into a blissful exhausted sleep still held in one another's arms.
As the morning sun poured in through the window across from her Jesse snuggled further into Haldir's arms not wanting the feeling of peace to leave her just yet. Looking up into his eyes as he watched her fight away the waking world she wondered how she could have found someone so amazing. To the rest of the world he was the perfect example of a warrior, strong, brave, and without mercy for those creatures that tried to invade the woods of his home, but to her he was gentle and loving, even going out of his way to be nice to the dwarf she called friend. 'How in the world did I ever deserve to have a guy like this,' she thought to herself. "By being yourself Jesse," he replied smiling down at her now pouting features. "I so have to talk to the Lady today about not hearing your thoughts. It is so unfair," she exclaimed playfully sticking her bottom lip out, causing Haldir to laugh uncontrollably. "I know you are frustrated with it, my love, but I am certain the Lady will be able to help," he soothed nibbling at the tip of one of her delicately pointed ears, causing her pouting to turn into a moan of pleasure.
"Now I am afraid we must get prepared for our day," he said with a sigh, "I must meet with the Lord Celeborn this morning after the meal. We still must plan for the defense of the wood while our forces are away in Rohan." "Your right," Jesse said as she sat up and began to get out of bed, "I fear the war will try to touch these woods as well as the realms of Imladris and Mirkwood. I think Sauron still holds quite the grudge against the elves for their participation in the Last Alliance. It is much better to be safe then sorry in the long run at any rate," she said as she pulled a gown out of the wardrobe before adding, "I have a terrible feeling that none of the free people of Middle Earth will go unaffected by this war in some way or another." "That is my fear as well, that is why I have asked that my brothers remain here while I am away to see to the defense of the realm," Haldir said as he walked up behind her and helped her to tie the bindings of her gown, "I will feel much better knowing they are here watching over my people."
After breakfast Jesse went in search of the Lady of Light, she hoped that Galadriel would be able to help her. Soon the Fellowship would have to leave the Golden Wood and though she did not want to be parted from her husband she knew that she had no real choice in the matter. She had a duty to not only Frodo but to the Fellowship as a whole. As she walked along the winding paths of Caras Galadhon, she thought over what was to come for the Fellowship, she knew that they would have to be parted and she hated it but they each had a very important job to do. Herself, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and god willing Boromir would go to the aid of Rohan. Merry and Pippin would get the ents involved in the fight and basically bring down Saruman. Frodo had already accepted his destiny and with Sam's help he would see it done. Looking up from her thoughts she realized that she had reached the Lady's private garden and that the Lady had been waiting for her.
"I know why you have come and I believe I will be able to help you," Galadriel said with a smile as she motioned for Jesse to walk with her. "I was hoping you could. I mean I know I have to leave with the Fellowship but if I can share my thoughts with my husband, I think it will be easier for me to deal with everything else that I have to deal with," Jesse said as she smelled a delicate yellow rose that grew out towards the path. "Your inability to read his thoughts is simply a product of as you would say too much information. Your mind hears the thoughts and feels the emotions of everyone around you as does my own. You simply need to learn to focus your mind on the thoughts of your husband and you will be able to hear him," the Lady explained as she guided Jesse to a bench near the edge of a small stream. "You mean all I have to do is focus on Haldir and I will hear him. Somehow that just feels so anticlimactic," Jesse exclaimed with a laugh causing the Lady to laugh as well. "Yes I know how it sounds for I myself faced the same problems you have. Now close your eyes and concentrate on your love. Block all others from your mind for the time being," Galadriel instructed with a calming voice, "Now envision yourself at his side. Tell me what you see."
Her eyes closed Jesse slowly began to clear her mind of all of the voices she heard until only Haldir's voice remained. "He is talking to Lord Celeborn," she said in a far off voice, "They are discussing the placement of the remaining forces on the borders. Haldir just suggested placing someone named Amras on the northern fences near where the Fellowship entered the wood. He says that Amras will be a worthy leader for that group of wardens," Jesse described as her eyes gazed off unseeing, "Oh and Amras is Lórwyn's brother. I did not know that." "Very good now can you speak to Haldir," the Lady said her voice somewhat distant to Jesse's ears. 'Haldir can you hear me, my love?' Jesse asked holding her breath in anticipation. 'Yes my love I can hear you. I take it the Lady was able to help you,' he answered his voice radiating with happiness in Jesse's mind. 'Yes it was actually pretty simple,' she replied, 'I will be with the Fellowship at the pavilion when you finish up with Lord Celeborn.' 'I shall meet you there shortly for we are just about finished,' he said as their link closed.
Her eyes refocused and she turned to the Lady, "I did it!" she exclaimed smiling from ear to ear, "Thank you so much my Lady Galadriel. It will make the time we spend apart a little more bearable being able to speak like this." "You are most welcome child, I know what being parted from the one you love feels like," Galadriel replied with a kind smile hugging the excited elleth. "I told Haldir that I would meet him at the Fellowship's pavilion so I had better hurry there. He said that he and Lord Celeborn were just finishing up, and I promised the hobbits that we could continue their lessons today. I want them to be as prepared as possible for when they will not have us to depend on," Jesse added her eyes glazing with sadness of what awaited the hobbits on their journey. "Go child the little ones are awaiting you most anxiously," Galadriel said as Jesse made her way out of the garden with a final wave and smile for the Lady of the Wood.
As she reached the great mellorn that housed the Fellowships pavilion she noticed that Rúmil and Orophin were visiting her friends and waved at them when they looked up from their animated conversation with the hobbits. "I had hoped you guys would be around today. We are going to head down to the training field as soon as Haldir arrives so that the hobbits can continue their sword lessons," Jesse said as she sat down next to Pippin on large tree root.
The group talked on for a short while before Sam exclaimed, "Hello, Mister Haldir. Are you going to the training field with us? Mister Gimli just challenged Miss Jesse to a axe throwin' competition. " "Hello as well Master Gamgee," he greeted with a smile for the chubby hobbit, "I believe that will be a most entertaining competition." "Call me Sam, Mister Haldir, I ain't no fancy lord or nothin'," Sam said blushingly. "Well then Sam, you must also call me Haldir, for my wife looks upon the members of the Fellowship as family and my brothers only refer to me with such lofty titles if they want to find themselves with extra border guard duties," the March Warden replied with a smile as he put his hand on the hobbit's shoulder and sharing a look with his wife. Laughing at the shared look of fear on Orophin and Rúmil's features, the hobbit said, "Well, Haldir, if Miss Jesse says we're family then I ain' gonna argue." "Well now that my husband has arrived, shall we go to the training field? There is a matter of an axe throwing challenge that I must deal with," Jesse said with a wink at the dwarf in their company.
When they arrived at the fields Jesse, Boromir and Aragorn paired off with the hobbits they normally worked with and began the lessons as Haldir and his brothers talked with Gimli and Legolas. Haldir was astounded at the mutual friendship that seemed to be forming between the Prince of Mirkwood and the dwarf. Jesse had told him of the connection that Gimli's father had with the King of Mirkwood and he found it most amusing that the son of Thranduil had befriended the son of a dwarf that had successfully escaped from the Mirkwood King's dungeon.
As the morning turned to afternoon Lórwyn appeared with another elleth, whom Jesse now recognized as Ailinel, Orophin's ladylove. The elleths brought with them enough food to feed the tired and hungry group. Soon everyone was eating and chatting happily. The hobbits soon became fast friends with Haldir's brothers, especially Merry and Pippin, for the two pairs shared what some would call a mischievous streak and found brothers in arms, much to the dismay of the March Warden and his bride.
"Alright Lass," Gimli said getting up from his place next to Merry, "Now is the time to show us what you can do with that axe of yours. Let's see how well that dwarf friend of yours taught you." "Alright," Jesse said with a laugh as she stood up dusting off her leggings, "You win. Haldir is going to set up a special target for us to throw at. We don't want to damage the archery targets." Soon the targets were set and Jesse and Gimli took their positions. By the time the pair had finished their competition the make shift targets that Rúmil and Haldir had made were unrecognizable. Overall it was a tie where Jesse had a distinct advantage with accuracy because of her elven sight, Gimli was able to throw his axe much harder. "I must say Lass that was a fine competition. My kinsman taught you well. I hope he became as fine with a bow as you have with an axe," Gimli said patting Jesse on the back as they made their way back to their friends. "Oh don't worry Gimli, Dailin is almost as good a shot as me. He actually helped me teach other dwarves the use of the bow, at the Magic School," Jesse assured with a smile, as she accepted a drink of water from Legolas.
That night as Haldir held his wife close to his side he asked, "You learned the use of an axe from a kinsman to Gimli?" "Yes, a descendant of his father's line named Dailin. He taught me the use of an axe in exchange for my helping him to learn archery. Somewhere over the years dwarves lost the knowledge of using a bow. Cause I know Gimli's father can use one, he used one in the adventures he had with Bilbo," Jesse said as she ran her hands over the strong muscles of his chest. "It was fine exchange of knowledge, he taught you well," he said, kissing the top of her head.
Closing her eyes Jesse found herself plagued by dreams of Uruk-hai near the borders of the Golden Wood. She could plainly see the white hand print they boar in service to Saruman. The image quickly changed to a scene of the Fellowship being carried by the currents of the River Anduin, in small elvish boats, then an image of herself shooting out the bowstring of a huge Uruk-hai warrior. Slowly the presents of her husband brushed her mind and she felt herself jolted awake. "I must speak with the Lady. It's time," she said with tears streaming down the sides of her face. "I know my love. I will accompany you, for I do not wish to be parted from your side this night," Haldir agreed as he began to quickly get dressed, and they quickly made their way from their talan toward the Lord and Lady's tree. As they neared the massive tree Jesse felt the Lady's presence in her mind, 'I am awaiting you child, go to my glade. We will be waiting.' Not even bothering to voice what the Lady had said to Haldir Jesse changed direction, knowing that he had heard it as well.
Stepping into the glade of the Lady, Jesse was greeted with a loving hug from the Lady of Light. "I know what it is you dreamed, child for that is also what I have dreamed this night. The time of the Fellowship's leaving has come. The enemy is drawing near to the borders of the Golden Wood," Galadriel said in a solemn voice still holding Jesse in her arms. "I know if we wait any longer the entire quest will be put in jeopardy," Jesse agreed in a choked voice, "I now know what I must do to save Boromir. I am not afraid," she added with conviction. "I must tell you now Jessica, the enemy must believe the son of Denethor lost to this world. I believe you know how this should be accomplished as well," the Lady said wiping away the traces of tears from Jesse's face. "I do my Lady," the younger elleth replied nodding her head, "Though I don't think Boromir will like it. I believe I can convince him to go along with it."
After taking council with the Lady of Light, Jesse and Haldir made their way to the Fellowship's pavilion. The only ones still awake at that late hour were Legolas and Aragorn. "Aragorn and Legolas we need to talk to you guys," Jesse said trying to keep her voice low enough not to wake the others. "What is wrong Jesse, you look stricken?" Legolas asked his voice full of concern. "The enemy is coming. Haldir and I just came from talking to the Lord and Lady. It is time for the Fellowship to go Aragorn," she answered her voice barely above a whisper. "Lord Celeborn is making arrangements for you to have the use of three of our smaller boats. They will help you to navigate the Anduin," Haldir said holding his wife tightly in his arms. "We have to leave in the morning or risk the entire quest," Jesse added tears coming to her eyes once more, "And before anyone suggests it, I will be going with the Fellowship. I made a promise to Frodo and I intend to keep it. Haldir understands why I have to go, so please don't even ask," she added seeing both the ranger and the prince about to argue, "Now the only thing that I must ask of you is that you get your rest because I know we will need it. I will see you in the morning."
With that Jesse and Haldir made their way back to their talan, knowing that the time of their parting had come. That night was spent trying to memorize one another body and soul. Sleep never claiming them, they watched as the sun began to paint the sky in muted colors as if understanding their sadness.